Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHA777427’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA777427’, particularly characterized by having small white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, flowers that are flat in lateral view, weak lip curvature of lateral lobes, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHA777427’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHA777427’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withnumerous attractive, small, white flowers with greenish-yellow and whitelips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHA777427’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in September 2013 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid‘07-000001-3358’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollenparent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘10-045504-0004’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in May 2016. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2017 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Sep. 15, 2021 (Application no. 2021/2271), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHA777427’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHA777427’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHA777427’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) Small, white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips;    -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is flat; and    -   3) Lip curvature of lateral lobe is weak.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in December 2022. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHA777427’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA777427’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead, close-up view of the leaves of ‘PHA777427’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHA777427’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in December 2022 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHA777427’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘07-000001-3358’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘10-045504-0004’            (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and. RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots            having yellow-green (RHS N144D) toward the tips and RHS            N144A colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 40.0 cm to 45.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 34.0 cm to 37.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 10 to 11 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 18.0 cm            to 20.0 cm. Width: 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: Toward the tip. Shape: Obovate.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the            horizontal position): Between 10 degrees and 25 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: Green (RHS 147A).            Lower surface: Green (RHS 146A). Texture (both upper and            lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm.            Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of            the midvein: Upper surface: Green (RHS 147A). Lower surface:            Green (RHS 147B).-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—2 to 4.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—25 to 30.        -   Length.—40.0 cm to 45.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—A mix of yellow-green (RHS 146A) and brown (RHS            200A).        -   Internode length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—2 to 4.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 200.0 mm to            250.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 40.0 nun to 45.0 mm. Diameter: 55.0 mm to            60.0 mm. Depth of lip: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 9 to 11 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 18.0 mm to            20.0 mm. Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145B) at the base and lighter            yellow-green (RHS 145C) toward the tips.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from            base to tip): 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm. Width: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm.            Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.            Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White            (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic            color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Number of            spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface): None. Color            of spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface): Not            applicable. Density of netting of the petals (upper            surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not            applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 28.0 mm to            30.0 mm. Width: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over, color: Touch of light yellow-green (RHS 145D)            and very light purple (RHS 76B). Number of spots and stripes            on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots            and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Not            applicable. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper            surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not            applicable.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 27.0 mm to            29.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color:            White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS            145D). Number of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals            (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the            lateral sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of            netting of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color            of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 5.0            mm to 6.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C).            Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Margin: Moderately undulated. Length: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm.            Width: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: White (RHS            NN155C) with greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) towards margin on            one side and purplish-red (RHS 59B) stripes at the base.            Lower surface: White (RHS NN155C) with greenish-yellow (RHS            151B) margin on one side and diluting purplish-red (RHS            N77B) stripes at the base. Number of spots and stripes on            the lateral lobe: Few to medium stripes. Color of spots and            stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 59B. Density of netting of            the lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not            applicable.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Ovate. Margin: Entire. Length: 15.0 min            to 17.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:            Reddish-orange (RHS 175D) margin and greenish-yellow (RHS            151B) at the base; white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Lower            surface: Reddish-orange (RHS 175D) margin and            greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) at the base; white (RHS NN155C)            toward whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the apical            lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical lobe:            Not applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe: None.            Color of the netting: Not applicable. Bump and ridge:            Absent.        -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.            Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:            Light greenish-yellow (RHS 3C) in front and the top; white            (RHS 155B) on sides; RHS 59B very small dots.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm to            5.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 1.0 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:            Orange-yellow (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 1.3 mm to 1.5            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Diameter: 1.5 mm to            1.7 mm. Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145A) at the base;            lighter yellow-green (RHS 145C) with a touch of            reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward the flower. Texture:            Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHA777427’ differs from the female parent plant ‘07-000001-3358’(unpatented) in that ‘PHA777427’ has white whiskers and white petals onthe upper side with no stripes on the petals, whereas ‘07-000001-3358’has purplish-pink whiskers with white tips and light purple petals onthe upper side with many stripes on the petals.

‘PHA777427’ differs from the male parent plant ‘10-045504-004’(unpatented) in that ‘PHA777427’ has moderately compressed to mediumpetals, ovate apical lobes, and emarginated dorsal sepal apexes, whereas‘10-045504-004’ has medium to moderately elongated petals, triangularapical lobes, and obtuse dorsal sepal apexes.

‘PHA777427’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALGUOCH’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,281) and ‘PHALDRIDOP’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 28,980). ‘PHA777427’ differs froth the commercial variety‘PHALGUOCH’ in that ‘PHA777427’ has wider leaves, weak lip curvature oflateral lobes, and no spots on the lateral sepals, whereas ‘PHALGUOCH’has shorter leaves, medium lip curvature of lateral lobes, and mediumspots on lateral sepals.

‘PHA777427’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDRIDOP’ in that‘PHA777427’ has ovate apical lobes, light yellow-green lateral sepals,and medium anthocyanin coloration, whereas ‘PHALDRIDOP’ has triangularapical lobes, lateral sepals are absent of color, and anthocyanincoloration is absent or weak.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA777427’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 